Electric signaling or railways.



I PATENTED SEPT. 24, 1907. w. J.; MAOKENZIB. I BLEGTRIG SIGNALING 0NRAILWAYS. APPLIDATIOH FILED D30 18 I905 4 isnnms-snnu 1.

W dam No) 866,945. PATENTBDSEPT; 24, 1907.

- w. J. MAoKENZIE.

ELEOTRIG SIGNALING 0N RAILWAYS, APPLIOATION nun 111:0. 1a. 1905.

4 sums-sum 2..

No. 866,945. PATENTED-SEBT. 24, 1907.

w. J. MAOKBNZIB.

I ELECTRIC SIGNALING, 0N RAILWAYS.

APPLICATION n'nnn'nno. 1a. 1905.

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igmgwyf ELECTRIC SIGNALINGON RAILWAYS;

YAIPPLIOATION rum) no. is. 1905.

.PAT'ENTED SEPT. 24', 190?. w. J. MAOKBNZIB.

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WlLLIAM JOHN MACKENZIE, OF DUNMURRY, IRELAND.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING ON RAILWAYS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 24, 1907.

Application filed December 13, 1905. Serial No. 291,557-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM JOHN MACKENZIE, a subject of the King ofGreat Britain, residing at Innisfallen, Dunmurry, county Antrim,Ireland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ElectricSignaling on Railways, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvementsin electric signaling onrailwaysand its object is to provide a simple and efiicient system ofsignaling between trains and signal cabins which shall always bereliable.

In carrying out the invention I provide each engine or train with adynamo or battery which supplies current to one of two conductors laidbetween and insulated from the rails alongasection of track at eachsignaling cabin. One of the conductors is connected toa white or greenlamp, and the other to a red lamp in the signal cabin in which is also aswitch and by means of the latter current is supplied to the secondconductor between the rails. On the engine is a similar set of lampsconnected to the conductors through collectors in precisely the samemanner.

The arrangement is such that when the train comes into the signalingarea, the collectors or trolleys make contact with the conductorsbetweenthe rails and the white or green lamps, in both the cabin and enginereceive current. Both the driver and the signalman are thus shownsimultaneously the position of the engine and if the line is blocked thesignalman closes the switch in his cabin and current is supplied to thered lamp in both the cabin and the engine. If the engine driver receivesno such signal then he momentarily closes his switch and flashes asignal to the signal man, this being repeated by the signalman to thedriver to show that all is clear and the engine then runs through thesection.

In the drawings; Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a section of railwaytrack showing the wires and connections to a signal cabin and station.Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the connections for automaticallysignaling at a level .crossing. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showingthe complete connections on the engine and in the signal cabin andstation Fig. 4 is a side view of an engine showing attachments. Fig. 5is a front View of the engine showing attachments. Fig. 6 is a sketch ofa modification. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the contacts Fig. 6. Fig.Sis a sketch showing a method of indicating at the signal mans cabinwhen a signal pull wire breaks.

Under this invention I lay along a section of the track, at eachsignaling cabin, an insulated wire or rail a which, as shown at Figs. 1and 2, is placed beside the ordinary rail b and is supported atintervals, A second wire or rail 0 is also laid parallel to the wire orrail (1. An insulated wire e isled from the wire or rail adirect to aswitch 9 in the signal cabin f and a second insulated wire it is ledfrom the wire or rail 0 to the same switch 9.

From the wire e branch wires i, i 1, are led respectively to an alarmlamp a bell j and a signal semaphore j The lamp, bell and signal areconnected up with the return wire it led to rail b and so to earth. Thewire h has likewise branch wires leading to a danger lamp Z, a dangerbell Z. and a danger signal semaphore 1 The return wire m may be led torail d and so to earth.

The engine of the train is provided with a dynamo o (driven in anysuitable and well known manner from one of the engine axles) a wire bleading to a trolley q and a wire 1" to the engine framing. There isalsoa receiving trolley s which is connected by a wire s to a greensignal lamp s in the engine cab and a danger signal trolley t which isconnected by a wire t to a red or danger lamp t in the engine cab. Thetrolleys g and s are adapted to run on the Wire or rail a while thetrolley t is adapted to run on the wire or rail 0.

There may be arranged, in the engine cab at any suitable part thereof agreen or alarm lamp .9 an alarm bell or gong 8 an alarm semaphore 8 andan alarm whistle. s is the wire leading from the trolleys to 8, 8 ,3 8is the return wire. The danger trolley t may also be connected up bymeans of the wire t to a danger lamp t, a bell or gong t a semaphore tand a whistle. t is the negative or return wire. u is a switch which isconnected on the one hand by wire u to trolley t and, on the other hand,by wire a to trolley 8.

To signal from the cabin to engine or vice versa: When the train entersthe signaling area the trolley q forms a connection between the dynamo0, through the wire p, with the wire or rail a and thence by wire e tothe alarm lamp j, bell j and semaphore in the signal cabin. At the sametime the current passes by trolley s and wire 8 to the alarm lamp 8,bell 8 semaphore 8 (and whistle if used) in the engine cab. In thismanner a simultaneous alarm is given in'the signal cabin and in the cabof the engine thereby intimating to both the signal man and the enginedriver that the train has entered the signaling area. If the line showsclear the engine driver turns the switch it (a flash only) which forms aconnection between the wires a and a through trolley s by wire 11. andthrough switch u, wire it, trolley 15, wire 0, and wire h to the dangerlamp l, bell Z and semaphore l? in signal cabin. Connection is also madeby wire it with lamp t bell t semaphore t and whistle (if used). Thisflash can be repeated by the signal man by his forming a connectionbetween wires a and c, through the switch 9. Thus a code may be used between the signal man and the driver.

If a train enters a signaling area and the line ahead is not clear thesignal man has simply to make a connection between the wire 0 and wire aby means of switch 9 as before. If this connection is made before thetrain comes into the signaling area the moment the train does enter fullconnection is formed between the dynamo 0 and the danger lamp t bell tsemaphore t and whistle (if used) on the engine, through wire I),trolley q, wires (1 and e switch 9 wires h and c trolley t and wire 23,engine alarm lamp s, bell s and semaphore 8 and signal box alarm lamp j,bell j and semaphore j and danger lamp Z, bell l and semaphore Z andalso engine lamp t bell t and semaphore t and the alarm whistle willsound.

To light up a station platform when a train comes into a signalingareaz-In this case the engine trolley q comes in contact with wire a andtransmits current from dynamo 0 through wire p, trolley q, wire awire 1) (Fig. 1), switch r to electric lights on platform. 0 is returnwire to earth by rail 1).

To give an alarm at level crossings or huts, not connected with blockline system:ln this case there are two wires or rails to, as, one ateach side of crossing. A bell w, lamp 10 and semaphore 10 is erected atthe crossing or hut. When the engine enters the signaling area anelectric current passes from the dynamo 0 of the engine, by wire 25,trolley q and wire w to the bell, lamp and semaphore. The return currentpasses to earth. The alarm is kept up until the engine actually arrivesat the crossing when it ceases owing to the trolley q running off wireto. If the train is coming in an opposite direction connection takesplace in a similar manner through the wire a: to the bell x lamp x andsemaphore m erected at the other side of crossing. When the train ispast the crossing it cannot give an alarm and a false alarm is therebyobviated.

The trolleys used may be of the construction shown at Figs. 4 and 5,that is to say, they may consist of a tubular part 2 in which is fitteda spring 2 capable of pressing on a rod 22 provided with pins z workingin guide slots 2 The lower end of the rod has a head 2 to which isattached a number of spiral springs 2 said springs being also attachedto the trolley fork Z7 carrying the pulley z". The springs press thetrolley wheel against the wires or rails a, 0, while the springs z allowof lateral movement and the slots 2 of vertical play. The wires or railsa, c, are of course inclined at their ends to permit of the trolleysreadily engaging therewith.

If so desired the arrangement may be worked in conjunction with theordinary signaling arrange ments. In this case instead of using aspecial switch, 9 in the signal mans cabin the wire 6, would be led,

as indicated at Figs. 6 and 7, to a contact 6 at one side and the wirehto a contact h at the other side of the usual frame 9 of the signalmans cabin and the ordinary pull lever 9 would be provided with a switchpiece g The arrangement would be such that when the lever g was pushedto the vertical position it would, by means of the piece 9 rubbingagainst the contacts 6 h, (which are spring contacts or contacts actedon by springs) close the circuit in the same manner as the switch 9. Onpulling the lever 9 back again into the inclined position the circuitwould be broken. The invention may also be applied for the purpose ofgiving a signal in the signal mans cabin whenever a pull wire of asignal breaks. In this case a rod (or stiff wire) a is arranged, asshown at Fig. 8

below the wires a, c. This rod is hinged at a to a stool a and isconnected at a to a chain 0. attached to the end of the usual counterweighted lever a of the signal post. It will be seen that if the signalman pulls the pull wire a and it breaks that the sinking of the weightedlever a will cause the chain a to pull up the rod a into contact withthe wires a, c, and short circuit the current so as to indicate at onceto the signal man that something is wrong.

Having now fully described our invention what we claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. Electrical signaling apparatus forsignaling between trains and signal cabins comprising, in combination, asignaling apparatus on the engine, a similar signaling apparatus in thecabin, electrical conducting means arranged along the track, means forautomatically electrically connecting the said conducting means with thesignaling apparatus in the cabin, means whereby the signal men cansignal to the engine driver and simultaneously show the indications inhis own cabin, means to enable the engine driver to signal, by means ofhis switch, to the signal man, means on the engine adapted to contactwith the said con ducting means of the track and means for causing ashort circuit and Signaling to the signal man upon the breakage of asignal wire.

2. Electrical signaling apparatus for signaling between trains andsignal cabins comprising, in combination, a sig naling apparatus on theengine, a similar signaling apparatus in the cabin, an insulatedconductor laid along the track and between the rails, means forautomatically electrically connecting the said conductor with thesignaling apparatus in the cabin, means whereby the signal men cansignal to the engine driver and simultaneously show the indications inhis own cabin, means to enable the engine driver to signal, by means ofhis switch, to the signal man, a trolley on the engine adapted tocontact with said conductors and means for causing a short circuit andsignaling to the signal man upon the breakage of a signal wire.

3. Electrical signaling apparatus for signaling between trains andsignal cabins comprising, in combination, a signaling apparatus on theengine, a similar signaling apparatus in the cabin, insulated conductorslaid along the track and between the rails, electrically connecting thesaid conductors with the signalin apparatus in the cabin, means wherebythe signal men can signal to the engine driver and simultaneously showthe indications in his own cabin, means to enable the engine driver tosignal, by means of his switch, to the signal man and trolleys held inposition on the engine by springs and adapted to contact with saidconductors and means for causing a short circuit and signaling to thesignal man upon the breakage of a signal wire.

-l. Electrical signaling apparatus for signaling between trains andsignal cabins comprising, in combination, a signaling apparatus on theengine, a similar signaling apparatus in the cabin, an insulatedconductor laid along the track and between the rails, means forelectrically connecting the said conductor with the signaling apparatusin the cabin, a trolley wheel, a fork therefor, a series of springsattached to the fork, a sliding rod attached to the springs and a guidesocket secured rigidly to the engine,

5. Electrical signaling apparatus for signaling between trains andsignal cabins comprising, in combination, a slg' naling apparatus on theengine, a similar signaling apparatus in the cabin, an insulatedconductor laid along the track and between the rails, means forelectrically connecting the said conductor with the signaling apparatusin the cabin, a trolley wheel, a fork therefor, a series of springsattached to the upper end of the fork, a rod of '1 shape, a tubularsocket secured to the engine and a spring in said socket.

6. Electrical signaling apparatus for railways, having in combination,two conductor wires, rods, or rails arranged along the track, a sourceof electricity on the engine, alarm or danger signaling apparatus on theengine, trolleys on the engine, means connecting said trolleys with thesignalmeans for automatically ing apparatus on the engine and with thesource of electricity, signaling apparatus in the signal cabin, wiresconnecting said apparatus in the cabin with the conductor wires, rods,or rails, and means for completing the Circuit through the twoconductor'wires, rods, or rails to put the alarm or danger signals inaction when engines are passing over them and to simultaneously causethe danger signal to appear in two engines and the signal cabin when twoengines enter the protected area, and means for auto matically causing ashort circuit upon the breakage of a signal wire.

to put the alarm or danger signals in action when engines are passingand to simultaneously cause the danger signal to appear in two enginesand the signal cabin when twoengines enter the protected area, and meansfor causing a short circuit upon the breakage of a signal pull-wire.

8. Electrical signaling apparatus for railways, having in combination,two conductor wires, rods,- or rails arranged along the track, a dynamoon the engine, alarm or danger signaling apparatus on the engine,trolleys on the engine, means connecting said trolleys with thesignaling apparatus on the engine and with the dynamo, signalingapparatus in signal cabin, wires connecting said apparatus in the cabinwith the conductor wires, rods, or rails and u switch for completing thecircuit through the two conductor wires, rods, or rails to put the alarmor danger signals in action when engines are passing over them and tosimultaneously cause the danger signal to appear in two engines and thesignal cabin when two engines enter the protected area, and means forautomatically causing a short circuit upon the breakage of a signalpull-wire.

9. Electric signaling apparatus for railways, comprising, incombination, insulated wires or rods laid on the railway track, meansfor charging said wires or rods with electricity, electrical signalingdevices arranged in the signal cabin, connections between the saidinsulated wires or rods, and the signaling devices in the cabin,electrical signaling devices on the train and means on the trainconnected with the signaling devices thereon and capable of engagingwith the aforesaid insulated wires or rods when the train passes overthe' same and to simultaneously cause the signal to appear in the twoengines and the signal cabin when two engines enter the protected area,and means for automatically causing a short circuit upon the breakage ofa signal pull-wire.

10. Electrical signaling apparatus for signaling between trains andsignal cabins, comprising, in combination, a signaling apparatus on theengine, a similar signaling apparatus in the cabin, an insulatedconductor laid along the track, means for electrically connecting thesaid conductor with the signaling apparatus in the cabin, a trolleywheel, a fork therefor, a sliding rod, a fixed guide socket therefor,springs interposed between said rod and yoke, a

spring in the said socket against which the upper end of said rod bearsand means for automatically causing a short circuit upon the breakage ofa signal pull-wire.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM JOHN MACKENZIE.

Witnesses THoMAs HU'ICHINSON, EDWARD HARVEY..

